GBOTTOMLEY

Kudos to LADYNASDAQ !!!!! I am also in Baldwin County, AL. When I graduated from nursing school in 1994 I was the oldest in my class. I had been working in our local hospital as a tech in the mental health unit. My preferred first job as an RN was to be on the psych team. I made it. Not only did I have to adjust from a MHT to RN, but older than many on the team, already at 47. I had my ups and downs; the adjusment was particularly hard for me with my charge nurse who clearly preferred "HANDS OFF" type of nursing. I was gung ho to BE THE BEST I COULD BE. Fortunately for me, I had the opportunity to work on 3-11 as a tech with a wonderful team of nurses who took me under their wing, gave me the opportunity to practice my student skills under them. When I went on board as a staff nurse, they were the wind beneath my wings. They taught me how to give report. how to manage by example and concious direction (something I continue to practice everyday as a nurse and case manager in home health). They were not defensive that their med-surg experience may not have been as recent as mine as a student, learning the new chart cart,, the needleless system, and sometimes asked me for help. They taught me prudence, patience, and desire to continue. I eventually shared the charge nurse duty for 7-3 and carried on what they taught me. I learned to teach patients and families, mental health techs, and now as a home health psychiatric nurse, am "the eyes and ears of the physician" (as per Dr. D. Mills). If I had not had those special nurses, who loved being nurses, I may not have learned to love my profession as I do. I'm now looking to change my direction, by combining management and psych nursing ( yeah, really LOL). I'm not comfortable being in a hospital these days. My home health patients only have very sad experiences of hospitalizations. It's pretty sad when a floor nurse tells a family member that she doesn't have time to do things because of being so short handed. I'm not sure the risk manager of that hospital would like to hear that one!!!!!!!! SO........ I'm hoping to make a difference in the quality of life for the elderly who need extra help. In any event, I would welcome your feedback or any other's to my email address: [email protected] Enjoy the new year!!!!!!!